Starting a Travel Business

When people search for “travel agent salary,” they are usually expecting a single number. The reality is more nuanced. Modern travel advisors do not earn a fixed wage or hourly pay. Instead, travel agent income is commission-based and varies depending on how the business is structured, what types of travel are sold, and how consistently bookings are made.

Every year on January 29, we take a moment to pause and reflect on how far we’ve come — and what continues to connect us as a community. For more than 30 years, this journey has been shaped by shared values, strong relationships, and a people-first approach to building travel businesses. What started in Coral Springs, Florida has grown into a nationwide network of independent travel advisors, all connected by a common passion for travel and entrepreneurship.

Starting a travel agency from home appeals to many people because of the flexibility it offers. But one question consistently comes up for aspiring owners: can a home-based travel agency business actually scale, or does it remain a small side venture?

Plan a Vacation Day is usually about dreaming. It is the moment people imagine where they want to go next, what experiences they want to have, and how travel fits into their lives. But for some, planning a vacation sparks a bigger question. What if travel did not just change your scenery, but also your future?

One of the most common questions people ask when exploring a career in travel is straightforward but critical: how do travel agents actually make money? The confusion often comes from the fact that many travel agents don’t charge clients directly for their services yet continue to operate profitable businesses.

For many people considering a travel franchise, cost isn’t the biggest concern — clarity is. Prospective franchise owners often want to understand exactly what they’re paying for, what’s included, and whether unexpected expenses will surface after they commit.